An Auckland primary school teacher has been sentenced to home detention after admitting she sent sexually explicit nude photos to an 11-year-old boy, more than 20 years her junior. The woman, who has a family of her own, pleaded guilty earlier this year to charges of grooming a young person for sexual conduct and committing an indecent act on a boy under 12, RNZ reported.
An interim suppression order prevents the teacher’s name or identifying details from being published. She was in a senior role at the school when she gained the trust of the boy’s parents, convincing them that the school was responsible for his declining mental health. But she was simultaneously sending explicit images to the boy, had kissed him, and even spent the night in his bed.
Before Judge Paul Murray at the North Shore District Court, the courtroom was packed as he described the devastating effects of the woman’s actions on the child and his family.
“He is burdened with confusion, shame, and fear. The emotional toll on the family has been devastating,” Judge Murray said. “Your offending has had wide and devastating impacts,” as quoted by RNZ.
Crown prosecutor Alysha McClintock told the court the offending was “on a path to something more sexual” and urged the judge to consider the boy’s extreme vulnerability and young age. The teacher’s lawyer, David Jones KC, said she was “extremely remorseful” and had taken steps toward rehabilitation, RNZ reported.
According to RNZ, Judge Murray referenced victim impact statements that detailed the severe emotional harm caused. The boy’s father described noticing “alarming changes” in his son’s behaviour and mental health. “You steered them into blaming the school,” the judge said, “and encouraged home schooling so you could get more access to the boy.”
The boy’s mother said the woman’s actions had caused “profound harm,” shattering their family’s sense of safety. Her statement, read in court, said her son’s trust had been “irreparably damaged”, reported RNZ.
“My heart aches for my son’s future,” she said. “The scars of this experience will take years, if not a lifetime, to heal,” RNZ reported.
The boy’s father called the teacher’s actions “brutal,” accusing her of manipulating their family to gain access to their child. He said she presented herself as a “saviour” while preying on their trust.
The woman applied for permanent name suppression, but the Crown opposed it, arguing the victim’s family wanted the teacher’s identity made public. Judge Murray lifted the suppression order, though the lawyer’s immediate appeal means she cannot yet be named.
Judge Murray declined to add her name to the Child Sex Offender Register, citing her low risk of reoffending.
Court documents revealed the teacher began communicating with the boy via Instagram, Snapchat, and Google Docs, urging him to “ask her out” and telling him, “If you ask me out, I’ll say yes.” She told the boy she loved him and made him believe they were in a relationship, as reported by RNZ.
They met several times in person, including at her parents’ house, where she kissed him while “wrestling.” She repeatedly sent graphic nude images to him on Snapchat, warning him to keep their interactions secret.
According to RNZ, in September last year, she spent a night in his bed. She was later arrested but declined to speak to the police.
Her sentencing, initially scheduled for May, was postponed twice before concluding this week. Judge Murray reiterated the profound damage done, calling the case a tragic breach of trust by someone entrusted with the care and education of children.
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